P500 Winter Rig

[IdBuckshot]

Howdy from Idaho!

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to detail the mods they've made to their P500's. It was sure nice having all of you blaze the trail. I found this forum last summer while researching my next cat hunting machine. The P500 seemed like the best option except for the lack of a locker in the front but thanks to the forum I learned a locker was coming so I pulled the trigger on a new machine. I've got it put together and have put some hunting miles on it now and I'm pretty happy with it. Pretty much everything I did to it I was able to learn about here. Off the top of my head here's what I've done:

Camso tracks
TorqLocker
Windshield, back window and roof
Manual windshield wiper
Heater/defrost
4500# Winch
Removed seat belts and hump
LED pod lights to the sides
Snap--in rubber sheet under/behind seats
Dog box with lots of top storage

I chose not to install power steering because I felt that it just wouldn't be able to cope with the tracks and would fail. It steers surprisingly easily as long as you're moving at least a little.

Now that it's past the trial period and I know I'll be keeping it I'll be installing an 8 gallon auxiliary fuel cell. The 5 gallon factory tank doesn't keep those tracks turning for long! The fuel cell will sit on top of the dog box and be tapped into the factory tank so when I start running low I can just open a valve and let it gravity feed into the tank. I haven't been able to find anything on the forum to help me with this project but I guess it's probably not really an issue unless you're running tracks. I've got most of the parts and pieces gathered so will be tackling this project soon.

Thanks again to everyone for sharing your P500 tricks!

 

[Admin]

 

[BWAF]

Howdy from Idaho!

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to detail the mods they've made to their P500's. It was sure nice having all of you blaze the trail. I found this forum last summer while researching my next cat hunting machine. The P500 seemed like the best option except for the lack of a locker in the front but thanks to the forum I learned a locker was coming so I pulled the trigger on a new machine. I've got it put together and have put some hunting miles on it now and I'm pretty happy with it. Pretty much everything I did to it I was able to learn about here. Off the top of my head here's what I've done:

Camso tracks
TorqLocker
Windshield, back window and roof
Manual windshield wiper
Heater/defrost
4500# Winch
Removed seat belts and hump
LED pod lights to the sides
Snap--in rubber sheet under/behind seats
Dog box with lots of top storage

I chose not to install power steering because I felt that it just wouldn't be able to cope with the tracks and would fail. It steers surprisingly easily as long as you're moving at least a little.

Now that it's past the trial period and I know I'll be keeping it I'll be installing an 8 gallon auxiliary fuel cell. The 5 gallon factory tank doesn't keep those tracks turning for long! The fuel cell will sit on top of the dog box and be tapped into the factory tank so when I start running low I can just open a valve and let it gravity feed into the tank. I haven't been able to find anything on the forum to help me with this project but I guess it's probably not really an issue unless you're running tracks. I've got most of the parts and pieces gathered so will be tackling this project soon.

Thanks again to everyone for sharing your P500 tricks!View attachment 103329

Good looking rig

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

 

[Backwoods]

Those tracks are badass. I think it looks good.

 

[Chooglin]

I just love the looks of the 500 with tracks on them.

Please post info and pics on the auxiliary fuel tank as you progress with it.

 

[IdBuckshot]

I just love the looks of the 500 with tracks on them.

Please post info and pics on the auxiliary fuel tank as you progress with it.

Will do... Hopefully it's not a pic of a charred black heap after I screw it up!

 

[alloutdoors]

Would really like to see some video of that great looking unit running through the snow. Great looking unit!

 

[IdBuckshot]

Would really like to see some video of that great looking unit running through the snow. Great looking unit!

If I can figure out a way to make that happen I'll do it.

 

[alloutdoors]

If I can figure out a way to make that happen I'll do it.

I'm confident you will get plenty of views and likes....

 

[Mudder]

Welcome. 2nd the future videos. Awesome work. If the steering is not too difficult now without power steering, guessing a ps unit could handle it, based on my EZ steer used heavily in thick mud/ruts with 27 inch tires. Its been working fine going on 2 years now.

 

[snakeriver]

Nice!!!!!!

 

[N-IdahoP500]

Looks awesome! What is your top speed?

Where are you located in Idaho?

 

[N-IdahoP500]

Your dog box obviously fills up your rear rack. I have a front rack design if you are interested. I also made a storage bin under the hood for $3 and a bin under the seat for $4. I'll share some pics and info if you are interested.

In Post Falls

 

[IdBuckshot]

Looks awesome! What is your top speed?

Where are you located in Idaho?

It tops out when the machine's speedo says about 35 mph, which the GPS says is about 20 with the track gear reduction. So your average golf cart can probably take me but I think I would give a kid on a Hot Wheels a run for his money.

I'm located between Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.

 

[IdBuckshot]

Your dog box obviously fills up your rear rack. I have a front rack design if you are interested. I also made a storage bin under the hood for $3 and a bin under the seat for $4. I'll share some pics and info if you are interested.

In Post Falls

Yeah, it sure does. But there's a top compartment that's about 6" deep so that holds a lot. I thought about some underhood storage but having to remove the windshield to get to it seems like a hassle and my heater takes up quite a bit of space there. I'd be really interested in seeing your front rack and under seat storage though.

 

[MarlinWalker]

In Post Falls

I'm located between Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.

Couple more in North Idaho. I'm from Post Falls as well. Good seeing some more locals.

 

[IdBuckshot]

Welcome. 2nd the future videos. Awesome work. If the steering is not too difficult now without power steering, guessing a ps unit could handle it, based on my EZ steer used heavily in thick mud/ruts with 27 inch tires. Its been working fine going on 2 years now.

Ok, I just posted a video of the machine in the Photos and Videos forum. Probably not the most exciting thing to watch!

 

[Nashby]

Your dog box obviously fills up your rear rack. I have a front rack design if you are interested. I also made a storage bin under the hood for $3 and a bin under the seat for $4. I'll share some pics and info if you are interested.

In Post Falls

Yes, please do share pics!

 

[DaddyDubbs]

It tops out when the machine's speedo says about 35 mph, which the GPS says is about 20 with the track gear reduction. So your average golf cart can probably take me but I think I would give a kid on a Hot Wheels a run for his money.

I'm located between Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.

On dry ground an average golf cart might take you but in snow you win. Besides, getting out and back is more important than speed.

 

[N-IdahoP500]

Yeah, it sure does. But there's a top compartment that's about 6" deep so that holds a lot. I thought about some underhood storage but having to remove the windshield to get to it seems like a hassle and my heater takes up quite a bit of space there. I'd be really interested in seeing your front rack and under seat storage though.

I wouldn't trail ride with large loads on the rack because they will start to obstruct your view. You can see how much the view changes between my son's young buck and my old buck. For me it is a place to put an animal after I harvest. It allows me to fill up all the rest of my storage in the rear and still have room for a deer or elk quarters. I stood on the front rack and pulled my son's buck up. I would guess that came out to about 325lbs., and it handled it without a problem. As a hound hunter, I think it would work great for a cat.

I mounted it on an angle on purpose. I didn't want the front bar of the rack to obstruct my view during typical driving. It doesn't at all! I don't even notice it, and the front bar holds a deer great. I threw a few bungee cords on it and hit the trail.

 

[N-IdahoP500]

Yes, please do share pics!

I just posted the pics. Take a look at the thread.